Frosted Flakes-Fed Monkey Bites Illegal Owner

Fish and Game is investigating the incident

A Javan macaque subsisting on a diet including Frosted Flakes and juice has been quarantined after biting its owner on the hand and arm. The monkey was being kept, illegally, as a pet by a California woman. The hospital where she was treated for the dog-like bites reported the incident to local animal services. The macaque will now spend 60 days with Zoo to You, a group that cares for rescued animals. “This kind of animal is never meant to be kept domestically. It is illegal," said Eric Anderson of the San Luis Obispo County Division of Animal Services. "It lived on a diet including Frosted Flakes and juice. We strongly discourage the keeping of any such animal." The California Department of Fish and Game is investigating the incident and may charge the monkey’s owner with unlawful possession of a restricted species.

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Wildfire Edges Toward Jackson Hole

1,000 told to prepare to leave

A 2,400-acre wildfire is threatening the evacuation of about 1,000 residents in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, as high winds have fire officials preparing for a worst-case scenario. The blaze began Saturday near the mouth of Wilson Canyon, causing authorities to close trails in the Greater Snow King Recreation Area and the Snow King Resort to fill its snowmaking lines with water. The Little Horsethief fire crested the ridge just south of Cache Creek Sunday night, prompting the pre-evacuation warning. Priority is being given to protecting the Cache Creek drainage and the towers at the top of Snow King, which routes all emergency communication, cell service, radio broadcasts, and Internet throughout the valley. Some light rain fell Monday morning, but fire officials said that it would not be enough. “The rain received is of no value, really,” Bridger-Teton spokesperson Mary Cernicek said. “Not nearly enough moisture has fallen to have an effect on the fire right now. And with the rain and the weather front, comes erratic winds which are certainly not helpful. We are still in very high fire danger.” As of midday Monday, the fire was about 15 percent contained.

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Caribbean Coral on Verge of Collapse

Ocean warming, acidification, and fishing at fault

Caribbean coral reefs are on the brink of collapse, according to new research from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The study, presented at the IUCN's conference in South Korea, found that live coral coverage on reefs has declined from 50 percent to less than 10 percent over the past 40 years. Ocean warming, acidification, and overfishing are responsible for the decline, said Michael Lesser, a National Science Foundation program director, who warned that the decline of Caribbean coral could be a "road map" for healthier reefs. While Lesser said that recovery was still a possibility, he warned that it could take a a long time: "We're talking decades."

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Contador Wins the Vuelta

American Andrew Talansky finishes 7th

In his first Grand Tour appearance after a February doping suspension, Alberto Contador won the overall at the 67th Vuelta a Espana. In a marked departure from his dominance in previous years, Contador came from behind to make a daring attack in the 17th stage on Wednesday. He displaced Joaquim Rodriguez, who had worn the leader’s jersey for 13 days, and vaulted into the lead. For the rest of the race, Contador defended his time gains to finish 1:16 ahead of runner-up Alejandro Valverde. Twenty-three-year-old American Andrew Talansky finished in 7th place making him the second American to place within the top 10 of a Grand Tour this year.